Gold Coast community op shop blasted over ‘disgusting’ $500 shoes
A Queensland charity shop has split locals over an eye-watering price tag on a pair of designer shoes – some say it’s fair, others are outraged.
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A Queensland charity shop has caused a stir over a pair of designer shoes for sale with an eye-watering price tag.
The opportunity shop shop at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast was offering the black, gold, and grey Christian Louboutin men’s loafers for $500 – discounted from $1483.
The price tag sparked outrage among some locals when an image of the shoes, posed on a red display pillow, was posted to a Palm Beach community Facebook page.
“You know when Palmy has gone really upmarket (sic) … designer shoes at Vinnies,” Jo Sherwood, who posted the image to the group, wrote, The Gold Coast Bulletin reports.
However, St Vincent de Paul Society has clarified the loafers were not from a Vinnies but another op shop in the area.
“They say if the shoe fits, wear it, but that’s not the case here – these $500 Louboutin’s were not in our Vinnies Palm Beach store, but from another op-shop in the region,” Vinnies Queensland General Manager of Operations Drew Edie told news.com.au.
“That said, we do get designer goods donated to us on occasion, and we endeavour to price these appropriately.”
Many were quick to pan the not-so-thrifty price tag on the designer shoes and other items they have spotted in the charity shops, calling the cost a “rip-off”.
“It’s bloody disgusting the prices they charge on anything. I seen (sic) a Kmart dress in there last week, they were selling it for more than Kmart sold it for,” another wrote.
Many were saying op shops had forgotten who and what they were there for.
“Think they need to remember they are selling donated goods, not operating a boutique store,” someone replied.
Another said that “all op shops have forgotten that they are meant to be there for the poor people, not just the hipsters.”
But not all were so quick to slam the price tag, and argued the other side of the coin.
“Actually, the op shops are there to raise money for the charity … (like) Lifeline to fund their crisis line, Vinnies to help the poor,” one woman wrote.
“Their shops are there for everyone and Vinnies give gift cards to the poor to use at their shops so they get items for free.”
News.com.au has also reached out to The Salvation Army and Lifeline – both of which have op shops listed in the Palm Beach area – for comment.
The St Vincent de Paul Society and its 650 charity shops around Australia raise funds for its many services for people in need.
Mr Edie said pricing for the wide range of products donated to stores is conducted by volunteers who are trained and have “pricing guides to encourage consistency”.
“Unfortunately, increased costs of rent and utilities combined with the rapidly growing need for support in our community has had its impact,” he told news.com.au.
He said Vinnies works with Australians who may be struggling to afford basics with “Shop vouchers and direct donations” to meet living costs.
”But whether an item costs $5 or $500, you can be assured that all sales go towards helping locals experiencing poverty or homelessness.”
Christian Louboutin is one of the most iconic luxury fashion brands in the world. The billionaire French fashion designer is famed for his red-bottom stilettos which can sell for as much as $5000 a pair.
According to online retailers, the same pair of Louboutin “studded-heel jacquard loafers” sells for about $1475.
But the ruckus begs the question: should charity shops make their goods as affordable as possible? Or match the price tag to the item’s quality, brand, or the recommended retail price?
What do you think? Continue the conversation – georgina.noack@news.com.au
Originally published as Gold Coast community op shop blasted over ‘disgusting’ $500 shoes
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